St. John's Episcopal Church - Centreville, VA
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Parish News - June 10, 2020
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Dear St. John's parishioners and friends:
I know that many of us are anxious and eager to get back to the church for in-person worship. I know that I am. I want things to get "back to normal". But that is not going to happen, at least not in the next few months.
The Diocese of Virginia has recently put out its guidelines for regathering. Each parish needs to do certain things in order to re-open its buildings. By clicking on the link below, you can read the entire document. This is to keep everyone safe and to avoid spreading the virus. Even after we reopen, some may not feel it's safe to return. Hopefully, we will be able to continue offering our online worship services for those who cannot get to church on Sunday mornings and those who are sick or out of town.
There are several things that we will not be able to do for some time after we open, which will be hard for us. We will not be able to have any singing, as that spreads the virus further and more quickly. We will not be able to have our beloved trumpet playing for the same reason. We will not be able to receive communion, have the nursery open, pass the peace, shake hands or have coffee hour.
But this will only be for a time. How long, we do not know. But at some point, perhaps after we have a vaccine, we can bring back into our worship and community the traditions that we love and hold dear as being part of the Episcopal Church. But for now, we need to be patient and do everything we can to stay healthy and safe, especially as we return to in-person worship.
In the weeks ahead, we will go through the process outlined in this document and apply to the bishop to have in-person worship. The number of new COVID 19 cases in our area needs to come down for 14 consecutive days. Other precautions needs to be met for the safety of all.
I keep you all in my daily prayers as we continue to do the work that God has given us to do.
The Rev. Carol Hancock
Rector
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Preparing for Phase II Regathering on Our Church Buildings
Here's the link:
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St. John's is here to help you!
If you or someone you know has a need that the church can help with during this pandemic (going to the grocery store, picking up prescriptions, etc), please do not hesitate to call the church (703-803-7500). Many of us are ready and willing to help, should the need arise. The church is here to help in any way we can.
What else can St. John's be doing to fill your spiritual needs during this difficult time? If you have ideas or suggestions, please let Carol know.
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Every Wednesday, St. John's has a
Service of Evening Prayer
at 6 PM. It is a peaceful way to end the day, and it's now being held virtually. Here is the link to this evening's service:
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This Sunday, June 14, join us for the service at 9:30 AM, the Adult Lectionary Class at 10:30 AM and the virtual coffee hour at 12:00 noon on Zoom. The links will be sent out in Saturday's email, which will have the link for the service (9:30 AM), the link for the Adult Lectionary class (10:30 AM) and the link for the coffee hour (12:00 noon).
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A few announcements:
Many thanks go to
David Weir for editing and posting our services on YouTube. He spends a lot of time doing this so we can take part in regular worship together but physically apart. Thanks also go to the readers who are now taking part in the services, and to Mandy Hull who finds the appropriate hymns on You Tube that we can use, and plays a prelude and postlude.
Do you have a Book of Common Prayer at home?
As our online services continue, it would be easier for each of you to follow the service and make the appropriate responses if you had your own prayer book at home. Many people do, not just to use for services but also to use its many other resources for personal prayer time. We have extra prayer books at the church, if you would like one. Just let Carol know and we can arrange a "no contact" pick up.
The Prayer list -
If you would like to add someone to the prayer list, please email Carol. The readers who do the readings as well as the Prayers of the People, do their recordings from their homes toward the beginning of the week. If you send a name after the recording has been made, the name might not be on the prayer list until the following Wednesday or Sunday. Also, please note that the prayers of the sick, and those who have died, are read during the services we are posting on YouTube. So they are now "virtual".
Prayers for Justice, Reconciliation and Peace
Last Saturday, some members of the diocese participated in a virtual prayer vigil for justice, peace and reconciliation. Although we did not receive word about this in enough time to advertise it, some people may want to use the prayers that the Deacons of the diocese put together. Click on the link to access the prayers.
We encourage you
to please stay current with your pledge and contributions to St. John's. Our bills continue to come in and need to be paid. You can mail your contributions to St. John's at 5649 Mt. Gilead Road, Centreville, VA 20120. If you would rather give online, please use the Tithe.ly button below.
Read any good books lately?
If you have read something that you would like to share with others, please send Carol the name and the author of the book and a short review. We will share that in the E Notes. If you would be interested in having an online book study, please let Carol know.
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Sermons from the Bishop's Online Chapel
Each week, one of our bishops or a member of the diocesan staff prepares and posts a sermon based on the Sunday's readings that can be used for online services. Here is the sermon posted for this past Sunday. Our new Assisting Bishop, The Rt. Rev. Porter Taylor, provided a sermon for Trinity Sunday.
Use this
link
to view the video.
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Psychological First Aid
Psychological distress often follows a crisis. You may need support for yourself, your family, and your community....
Here is the link for the webinar:
Scroll part way down, until you see the title "Psychological First Aid", then click.
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ChurchNext Offers a Free Online Class
This course is designed to give you a boost.
We don’t know when this pandemic is going to end, but we can tap into resources to help us deal with it in healthy ways. As we are increasingly tempted to fall into our phones and ask people to wake us when Covid-19 is over, it becomes increasingly important that we maintain healthy habits.
This course can help us ponder ways we can tap into our faith as a resource for us and others.
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OUTREACH TO OUR COMMUNITY
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HELP FROM THE HEART Community Drive
You can drop off items 24/7 at Sully Station (4900 Stonecroft Blvd, Chantilly) or at any local police station
https://bit.ly/fcpdgis
Please place only NEW items in plastic grocery bags in the collection bin.
Items needed (New ONLY)*
- Toothpaste & Brushes
- Deodorant & Lotions
- Diapers & Baby Wipes
- Soap, Shampoo, & Conditioner
- Feminine Hygiene Products
- Adult Incontinence Underwear
- Laundry and dish detergent
- Household cleaners
- Paper towels and toilet paper
End date TBD.
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Western Fairfax Christian Ministries
With schools being closed
items
are being included for
breakfast and lunch food for kids
(primarily single servings that do not require a stove). The bags will also include bread, fresh fruit and items already in our pantry that come daily from grocery stores.
HOW TO HELP WFCM FAMILIES DURING COVID-19
WFCM is pre-bagging food
to continue to provide all clients with food.
They are
not accepting individual small donations from homes.
If you would like to donate food items,
please order food and toiletry items online and ship them directly to WFCM's office in Chantilly or
donate online
.
Here is the link that takes you directly to WFCM's 'wish list' on Amazon:
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Fairfax County Health Department Neighbor to Neighbor Program
In response to COVID 19, the Health Department has set up a Neighbor to Neighbor Program for residents 60 and over who need to have someone pick up groceries and medications for them. Contact Fairfax County Aging, Disability and Caregiver Resource Line at 703-324-7948.
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SUNDAY WORSHIP & EDUCATION
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The Adult Lectionary Forum
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Now being held virtually via Zoom. All are invited to join in, following the virtual Sunday service. The links to the Forum and the service are sent out in a separate email on Saturdays.
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We can prepare our hearts & minds by reading ahead
for the Sunday Service lesson
The Second Sunday
after Pentecost -
June 14, 2020
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The First Reading:
Genesis 18:1-15 and 21:1-7
God visits Abraham in the curious form of three men who prophesy that the old, barren couple will produce a child; Sarah laughs at the message and then becomes pregnant.
The Psalm: 116:1, 10-17,
page 759 , BCP
The Second Lesson:
Romans 5:1-8
Jesus died for everyone, before we turned from our ways to his call; as brothers and sisters of Christ, we endure knowing that whatever our lives bring, God can use it to his glory.
The Gospel:
Matthew 9:35- 10:23
As the disciples are sent out on their first missionary journeys, Jesus urges them to behave with integrity, humility, and faith.
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Forward Day by Day
, a daily devotional normally available in the breezeway, is now here for May/June/July. If you would like one to be mailed to you, please call Carol or send an email.
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Online Contributions to St. John's
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St. John's now offers three buttons for online donations via Tithe.ly. You may use the buttons to go directly to Tithe.ly, or you may download the Tithe.ly app on your phone or tablet.
The Facility donation button may be used for any contribution for the facility's buildings and grounds, or special facility campaigns.
The Pledge contribution button may be used to make your pledge payment
after signing up
to be a pledger,
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which may be done at any time in the year. (See Carol or Vestry)
The Donation button may be used for any other type of donation to St. John's. We are just now adding the Donation button, so it is not yet active.
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Diocesan Resources
The Diocese of Virginia has posted on its website (www.thediocese.net) many resources for individuals and clergy to use during this time when we cannot gather together for worship and Christian Education. On the opening page of the website, you will see "Covid 19 Resources" in the upper right hand corner. This page includes statements by Bishop Susan Goff, some church financial resources, tips about recording services online, and Christian Education resources to use at home. One resource is entitled "Do Faith at Home" and has ideas for adults and children
https://www.dofaithathome.org/
Every week
, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry broadcasts a short reflection entitled, "Habits of Grace". He has encouraging words of hope and love for all of us during this difficult time. You can watch the videos at
https://episcopalchurch.org/habits-of-grace
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Reflections
A Prayer for the Power of the Spirit among the People of God
God of all power and love,
we give thanks for your unfailing presence
and the hope you provide in times of uncertainty and loss.
Send your Holy Spirit to enkindle in us your holy fire.
Revive us to live as Christ’s body in the world:
a people who pray, worship, learn,
break bread, share life, heal neighbors,
bear good news, seek justice, rest and grow in the Spirit.
Wherever and however we gather,
unite us in common prayer and send us in common mission,
that we and the whole creation might be restored and renewed,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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and the office number is 703-803-7500.
May our ministry together spread God's love to all whom we encounter.
-
Carol
The Rev. Carol Hancock, Rector
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Please note:
If you choose to unsubscribe below, please be aware that you will no longer receive either St. John's sermons or E-Notes, which are sent weekly. If you do unsubscribe and later want to be added back in, that needs to be done through the provider, Constant Contact. Please email St. John's office with the request: [email protected].
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